1785 September 20. (Jefferson to James Madison). "You see I am an enthusiast on the subject of the arts. But it is an enthusiasm of which I am not ashamed, as its object is to improve the taste of my countrymen, to increase their reputation, to reconcile to them the respect to the world, and procure them its praise."[2]

1785 September 30. (Jefferson to Charles Bellini). "Behold me at length on the vaunted scene of Europe! ….I have never yet seen a man drunk in France, even among the lowerst of people. Were I to proceed to tell you how much I enjoy their architecture, sculpture, painting, music, I should want words. It is in these arts they shine."[3]